§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of women who would receive an increase in retirement pension for their husbands, if clause 7 of the Health and Social Security Bill was not restricted to women who had previously been in receipt of unemployment benefit, sickness benefit or invalidity pension; what would be the additional cost to the national insurance fund and the net cost after taking into account savings on supplementary benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is estimated that up to 35,000 women would be entitled to a dependency increase for their husband. This figure assumes that occupational pensions are counted as earnings for dependency benefit purposes. The cost to the national insurance fund would be about £17 million; the net cost, after allowing for savings from supplementary benefit, would be about £12 million in a full year. The purpose of clause 7 is to avoid the hardship which would be caused by withdrawal of a dependency increase of a pre-retirement benefit gained under the equal treatment arrangements but we have no plans for extending dependency provision in the manner suggested.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of women who will receive an increase of retirement pension for their husbands as a result of clause 7 of the Health and Social Security Bill.
§ Dr. BoysonUp to 500 per week.